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Home / Beaches / Playa Junquillal

Playa Junquillal

Пляж Хункильяль
Costa Rica · Beach · Tamarindo
moderate
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for solitude seekers and wildlife lovers. Suitable for walks and turtle watching. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.

Best month

January

Water
+28.0°C
Length
3 000 m
Playa Junquillal, featuring a calm atmosphere and white sand. It has a less crowded setting and scenic views, popular for a quiet retreat and swimming.
Surface
sand
Waves
strong
Entry
moderate
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Junquillal, featuring a calm atmosphere and white sand. It has a less crowded setting and scenic views, popular for a quiet retreat and swimming.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Quiet and peaceful beach away from tourist crowds
  • Long stretch of white sand, ideal for walks
  • Beautiful sunsets
  • Excellent surfing conditions
  • Mangroves and estuary for kayaking
  • Turtle nests and opportunity to observe turtles
  • Abundant wildlife (monkeys, birds)

Cons

  • Strong waves, not always safe for swimming
  • Remote location (33 km from Tamarindo)
  • Limited infrastructure — only a few hotels and restaurants
  • Little nightlife
  • Road can be in poor condition in the rainy season
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for solitude seekers and wildlife lovers. Suitable for walks and turtle watching. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.
Features
What makes this beach unique
One of the few remaining untouched beaches on the Guanacaste coast. A permanent turtle hatchery operates here during nesting season.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
moderate
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
3 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
blue
Water Clarity
moderate
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+30.0 °C
Wave Type
strong
Wave Height
1.5 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December January
Season end
March April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
high
Water Quality
Water purity rating
good
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
20.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. A quiet and uncrowded beach.
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
No
Umbrellas
No
Showers
No
Toilets
No
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurante Lochito-s

Seafood

Seafood restaurant in Junquillal with ocean views.

La Ventana del Surfista

Cafe

Surfer cafe with breakfast and drinks.

Nearby cuisines

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean

Must try: Ceviche, grilled fish, prawns

Cafe

Breakfast and light snacks

Must try: Coffee, smoothies, sandwiches
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
wild
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
No
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash First aid kit Insect repellent
Best Time to Swim
In the evening for sunset watching. Turtle season is from November to March.
Local Rules
Swimming is not recommended due to strong waves and currents. Littering is prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Turtle Hatchery

Permanent hatchery on the beach where you can watch turtles hatch and be released

Junquillal Mangroves

Scenic mangrove forests with kayaking and birdwatching opportunities

Junquillal Estuary

Scenic estuary for kayaking and paddleboarding

Tamarindo

Lively resort town with restaurants and shops 45 minutes- drive away

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Junquillal: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — blue, clarity moderate, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +30.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Junquillal: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — strong. Average wave height — 1.5 m. Strong waves will please surfers but require caution when swimming with children.
Playa Junquillal: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — moderate. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable.
Playa Junquillal: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 3 000 metres.
Playa Junquillal: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December, January. It ends in March, April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Junquillal: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as good. Rip currents are likely — swim only in designated areas. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Junquillal: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Junquillal: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa Junquillal: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurante Lochito-s, La Ventana del Surfista. Cuisines available: Seafood, Cafe. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Junquillal: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, First aid kit, Insect repellent.
Playa Junquillal: when is the best time to swim?
In the evening for sunset watching. Turtle season is from November to March.
Playa Junquillal: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is not recommended due to strong waves and currents. Littering is prohibited.
Playa Junquillal: what activities are available?
The beach offers: surfing. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Junquillal: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for solitude seekers and wildlife lovers. Suitable for walks and turtle watching. Not suitable for swimming due to strong waves and currents.
Playa Junquillal: what makes this beach unique?
One of the few remaining untouched beaches on the Guanacaste coast. A permanent turtle hatchery operates here during nesting season.
Playa Junquillal: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Quiet and peaceful beach away from tourist crowds, Long stretch of white sand, ideal for walks, Beautiful sunsets, Excellent surfing conditions, Mangroves and estuary for kayaking, Turtle nests and opportunity to observe turtles, Abundant wildlife (monkeys, birds). Cons: Strong waves, not always safe for swimming, Remote location (33 km from Tamarindo), Limited infrastructure — only a few hotels and restaurants, Little nightlife, Road can be in poor condition in the rainy season.
Playa Junquillal: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Turtle Hatchery, Junquillal Mangroves, Junquillal Estuary, Tamarindo. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Junquillal: how do I get to the city of Tamarindo?
The beach is located near the city of Tamarindo. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Tamarindo.

City

Tamarindo

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

January

Useful information

Country: Costa Rica
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 10.150000, -85.800000

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